A look into the leaky, corroding Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel

The Air Force Academy announced back in October that the historic chapel would be closed for four years for preservation work, but they later announced it was staying open a little longer than expected.

From the outside, the unique aluminum architecture draws you in. Once inside, the colors of the stained glass captivate you.

That’s why for the 800,000 visitors a year, it’s hard to believe any work needs to be done. But chapel spokesperson Stephen Peterson says the rain from signature Colorado summer thunderstorms are causing leaks and corrosion.

“About the only thing we can do is put buckets out and wait for the storm to pass over,” he said.

Peterson says they’ve lost about six or seven microphones from water leaks.

You can also see the damage throughout the aisles, in the pews where the wood is beginning to crack and break.

“The laminate is peeling and falling right into the pew cushions itself,” Peterson said.

And even the chapel’s organ is beginning to see some damage.

“We have over 4,000 pipes in that organ, with almost 200 pipes that are no longer working because of that water damage,” Peterson said.

For now, they use trash bags to protect from more pipes getting damaged. That’s why starting in June, the visits will stop and the building will be stripped down to its shell.

With the four year project soon approaching, Peterson hopes the repairs will be worth the wait and prevent water from intruding in the future.